A Cliff Christl High Five: Packers' biggest Super Bowl plays

The Packers' new team historian provides his first top-five list

1. Clay Matthews’ Forced Fumble Reverses Momentum (Super Bowl XLV) – With Pittsburgh threatening to take the lead for the first time and facing second-and-2 from the Green Bay 33-yard line on the first play of the fourth quarter, Matthews drilled Rashard Mendenhall behind the line of scrimmage, forcing a fumble that Desmond Bishop recovered. After four stalled possessions to start the second half, the Packers responded with a touchdown drive that gave them a 28-17 lead. Green Bay 31, Pittsburgh 25.

2. Favre to Freeman Bomb Turns Tide (Super Bowl XXXI) – Trailing 14-10 early in the second quarter, Brett Favre connected with Antonio Freeman on an 81-yard touchdown pass that gave the Packers a lead they never relinquished. The pass set a Super Bowl record for longest play from scrimmage. Green Bay 35, New England 21.

3. Wood’s Pick Puts Packers in Control (Super Bowl I) – With Kansas City moving the ball on the first series of the third quarter and the heavily favored Packers clinging to a 14-10 lead, safety Willie Wood intercepted a Len Dawson pass and returned it 50 yards to the Kansas City 5-yard line. Elijah Pitts scored a touchdown on the next play. Green Bay 35, Kansas City 10.

4. Rodgers’ Pinpoint Pass Comes at Perfect Time (Super Bowl XLV) – After Pittsburgh had closed to within three points with 7:40 remaining, Aaron Rodgers led a 10-play drive that ate 5 minutes 27 seconds and produced a field goal that padded the Packers’ lead. The key play of the drive came on a third-and-10 play and was quintessential Rodgers, a perfectly thrown dart down the seam into tight coverage to Greg Jennings for 31 yards. Green Bay31, Pittsburgh 25.

5. Howard’s Kickoff Return Seals the Outcome (Super Bowl XXXI) – Following a third-quarter Patriots’ touchdown that cut the Packers’ lead to six points, Desmond Howard returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards to put the Packers back in control, 35-21. Green Bay 35, New England 21.